Steven Gerrard was full of praise for Martin Zubimendi during Arsenal's Champions League semifinal first leg against Atletico Madrid, but he also made clear he is still disappointed that Liverpool failed to sign the Spaniard
15:14, 30 Apr 2026Updated 15:14, 30 Apr 2026
Steven Gerrard working as a pundit for TNT Sports' Champions League coverage
Steven Gerrard spoke honestly about one player he wishes Liverpool signed(Image: TNT Sport)
Steven Gerrard has expressed disappointment over Liverpool's failure to secure Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi, marking the fourth transfer regret the legendary midfielder has voiced.
The former Reds captain was providing analysis for the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal clash. At the start of the match, Gerrard revealed he was a massive fan of Zubimendi, who Liverpool came agonizingly close to signing during the summer of 2024.
Arne Slot was poised to make the Spaniard his inaugural signing as Reds boss, but the transfer fell through, with the midfielder joining Arsenal a year later. Reflecting on how Liverpool let him slip away, Gerrard confessed he remains frustrated that a deal for the Euro 2024 winner couldn't be completed.
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Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard said: "He's been given a really key role. At Liverpool, we were linked with for a long time, watched a lot of him on the back of that - (I was) disappointed that we didn't sign him on the back of that.
"Arsenal have got a fantastic player, really intelligent. I think he'll have a big boost being back in Spain tonight, back where he's from. Arsenal need a big performance from him tonight. Griezmann and Alvarez like to come short, so he'll have to switch on; he's going to have to be aware. At the same time, he's got to connect Arsenal's play. He's got a pivotal role."
Zubimendi represents the fourth unsuccessful transfer Gerrard has lamented. He experienced similar disappointment regarding Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, both of whom joined Manchester City after prolonged links with a switch to Liverpool.
Martin Zubimendi appeared to be on the verge of a move to Liverpool in 2024
Martin Zubimendi appeared to be on the verge of a move to Liverpool in 2024(Image: Getty Images)
He also revealed he wishes the club had pursued Declan Rice before the England international secured a move to Arsenal. Discussing Guehi and Semenyo, Gerrard recently stated: "They should be playing for Liverpool, so that hurts even more.
"We were linked with two of those players, and that would have made a big difference to Liverpool. But I've said it before on record. Two top, top players. And for the price that they got them in as well.
"One on a free. One was, you know, £60M ($81M). In today's market, they're two bargains. They're two bargains.
"Quality players, experienced, ready to go into the prime years of their career. International-level players. And what they've done is they've just helped kick City on at the right time."
Discussing Rice on the 'Smith Brothers' podcast, he added: "I love Declan Rice, I've been singing his praises for a long time. I coached Villa against West Ham before he went to Arsenal. I didn't realize how big he was because hadn't met him in person.
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"You get in the tunnel and think, 'Oh my god, that's some profile for a midfielder.'
"If you're building a midfielder, he's got a body to die for, if you're 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2, and have the legs, the power, that's the midfielder you want to be. He was calm in possession, an animal out of it, up and down. I really like him as a person as well.
"I think he's really getting into that class where he's becoming a world-class midfielder. He's maybe one we should've tried to grab from West Ham, I don't know whether we did, but imagine him in this midfield now."